First I'd get Reaper and ditch Cubase LE.

What other software do you have?

You have the basics. Probably the best thing to invest in is some decent mics, and perhaps a nice mic preamp? I've been using the DBX 376 tube preamps for a few years now and love them.

Mics, for studio I would advise a large diaphragm condenser. Rode offer some good mics at reasonable prices, though there are better ones out there. I personally find the incredibly cheap Avantone CK-1 to be excellent, and it surprises me that it doesn't cost more in terms of performance. I think they are currently around R1800 which is a bargain for a decent new condenser, though this is a small diaphragm, so has its limitations. Having said that, I've found it useful on just about everything except vocals, and I'm sure I could use it on that too with the right technique?!

Another thing to work into your calculations and budget is cabling. Do not underestimate the cost of decent cabling.

Hope that helps a bit?
Regards
G!

Acoustic treatment.

Mixerboy wrote: First I'd get Reaper and ditch Cubase LE.

What other software do you have?

I have Cubase only with some open source such as Audacity and LMMS midi software
Sound proofing done

Thanks Mixerboy

Take what you have and add:

1. A decent mic to capture voice and acoustic sources.

2. A set of decent headphones to monitor when recording with above and for late night/Sunday afternoon recording.

3. Acoustic treatment (note: treatment, not soundproofing - two completely different things).

4. Recording software. Cubase isn't my favourite software, but it's capable enough. Lots of folk like Reaper, which has the advantage of being cheap. Didn't work for me, but then I'm stuck in my ways as I find that knowing a software backwards is more valuable than having an "Industry Standard" but struggling to do the simplest tasks.

5. Plugins. Make sure you have decent versions of the holy trinity: compression, EQ and reverb. Sure you can have a dozen different comps or EQs, but once again, knowing one good example backwards is far more effective than having one for every different task.

6. Instruments. Think about how you ultimately want your music orchestrated and fill in any gaps in what you have; either with software, sample libraries or the real things (and learning how to play them).

...And from there you can record properly. Everything else is just icing, hair splitting and paying large amounts for small improvements.

Condenser mikes on its way.
Headphones - have already
Acoustic treatment - Found a source at work for mineral wool cut to size as needed. Now for brandering and decent covers. (My daughter offered to do screen prints for the covers)
Cabling will be bought tomorrow. I like Nutrik but the price!

Keep you posted